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Project Warden, an extensive and complex investigation into the trafficking of stolen vehicles conducted by Toronto Police, commenced in August and has culminated in a staggering 176 charges against two individuals linked to multiple illicit transactions.
According to Toronto Police, the two accused operated under the guise of legitimate sales personnel at a reputable Toronto car dealership, yet they allegedly engaged in unscrupulous practices by acquiring and peddling stolen vehicles masquerading as legitimate used cars to unwitting customers, effectively defrauding the public.
This year-long criminal operation has inflicted an enormous financial setback of $2.18 million on both the dealership and the wider community, raising serious concerns regarding trust and security in the auto sales industry.
“The accused would generate fictitious sales documents using stolen and fake VIN numbers, or Vehicle Identification Numbers (and) they would also modify and alter Carfax reports to falsely represent the vehicles as legitimately purchased,” Det. Dan Kraehling revealed during a press conference held on Wednesday.
“The stolen vehicles would then be delivered to the buyer, leaving them unaware that the paperwork they had just completed did not correspond to the actual vehicle they had taken possession of, reflecting a grave breach of ethics and legality,” he emphasized.
“In some instances, the stolen vehicles were deceptively registered to individuals not listed on any sales documents, including one case involving a person who had passed away prior to the sale,” he added, highlighting the disturbing depth of the fraud.
In a decisive move against these criminal activities, Toronto Police executed eight search warrants during the week of October 21 across various locations including residences, commercial garages, and vehicles, seizing two suspected “re-vinned” vehicles alongside documents and electronics instrumental in orchestrating the fraudulent schemes. Authorities have now linked a total of 22 vehicles to these illicit activities.
Charged with an overwhelming total of 84 and 92 offences respectively, are Fadi Zeto, 32, from Mississauga, and Harris Bocknek, 35, hailing from Barrie.
The detective indicated that the investigation remains ongoing as authorities are probing potential involvement from any ServiceOntario employees in this alleged criminal enterprise.
Kraehling advised prospective car buyers to meticulously verify vehicle history reports independently and cautioned that re-vinned or stolen vehicles often exhibit discrepancies, such as mismatched colors or inconsistent odometer readings, making vigilance essential in the purchasing process.
Police suspect that there may be additional victims caught in this web of deception and have urged anyone who believes they were misled in the purchase of a used vehicle to reach out to 53 Division at 416-808-5306 for assistance.
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**Interview with Det. Dan Kraehling from the Toronto Police Service**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Detective Kraehling. This recent investigation, Project Warden, has revealed quite an extensive auto theft operation. Can you give us an overview of how this operation was structured?
**Det. Kraehling:** Thank you for having me. The operation was indeed quite complex. Our investigation began last August and uncovered a scheme where two individuals were posing as legitimate sales staff at a recognized Toronto car dealership. They exploited their positions to acquire stolen vehicles and sell them to unsuspecting customers, effectively defrauding them and the dealership.
**Interviewer:** That’s alarming. Can you elaborate on the methods they used to deceive buyers?
**Det. Kraehling:** Certainly. The accused would create fictitious sales documents using stolen and counterfeit Vehicle Identification Numbers, or VINs. They also manipulated Carfax reports to make these stolen vehicles appear as legitimate purchases. This level of sophistication not only misled buyers but also caused a significant financial impact—over $2.18 million on the dealership and the broader community.
**Interviewer:** It’s hard to believe such fraudulent activities could happen at a reputable dealership. What concerns does this raise for the public?
**Det. Kraehling:** It raises serious concerns about trust and security in the auto sales industry. People expect transparency and honesty when purchasing vehicles. This incident highlights that even established businesses can have individuals who engage in unethical behavior, which can affect the entire community.
**Interviewer:** With 176 charges laid against the two men, what can we expect in terms of legal repercussions for them?
**Det. Kraehling:** The legal system will take its course now. The sheer volume of charges indicates the severity of their actions, and we are optimistic that the justice system will appropriately address the impact of their criminal activities on both the dealership and the victims involved.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Det. Kraehling, for shedding light on this serious issue and informing the community about the steps being taken.
**Det. Kraehling:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we keep people informed and vigilant to prevent such crimes in the future.